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Library staff asks council to allow reading-assistance dog; clerk to check insurance
Summary
Library staff member Johnnie asked the Steamboat Rock City Council to allow a dog named Harper to assist children with reading. Council members cited liability concerns, said the League of Cities advised against it, and asked the city clerk to check insurance coverage and costs; the matter will return to a future meeting.
On Feb. 10, 2025, at a Steamboat Rock City Council meeting, library staff member Johnnie asked the council to allow a dog named Harper to visit the library part time to help children who have trouble reading. Council members said they had checked with the League of Cities and were advised the dog should not be allowed without further review. The council directed the city clerk to consult the city’s insurance company to determine whether liability coverage is available and, if so, what additional cost would be required.
Johnnie told the council that “the dog (Harper) was there to provide assistance to children that had trouble reading and that the dog has been coming to the library for the last year on part-time bases.” Joan Schuller said the library would be willing to cover any extra insurance cost the city required.
Council members raised the primary concern of potential liability if a child were injured; the minutes record that a parent could hold the city liable in such an event. The clerk will report back with the insurance company’s guidance and any cost estimates, and the council agreed to place the item on a subsequent agenda for formal action.
The Library reported 310 users in January and asked that future concerns be directed to Johnnie or the Library Board. No formal policy was adopted at the meeting.
